If you see an invasive…

JOIN Manchaug Pond Foundation's Aquatic Plant Survey Team

The MPF has trained* team leaders of volunteers who annually survey Manchaug Pond in a 50 plus point grid identifying all submerged aquatic plants, monitoring existing plant varieties, tracking size of weed bed growth, watchful for new invasives, and following up in kayak and snorkel! We want you to join us in our important work in keeping these invasive weeds from Manchaug Pond.

*Training: Special thanks to DCR Lakes and Ponds Program's Tom Flannery and Jim Straub as well as Lycott Environmental for initial traing sessions. Current volunteers receive hands-on instruction in action as part of the team.

Invasives ~ Know the lake’s enemy!

What are invasive species?

Our lakes and ponds contain a wide variety of native plants and animals that are essential to a healthy ecosystem. These native species originated here in new England and are well adapted to our climate and to other species that live here. however, many “non-native” or “exotic species have been brought here from other parts of the country and the world. Some of these species are considered “invasive” because they are able to dominate or significantly alter an area’s ecology. Once established, they continue to spread to additional locations by hitching rides on boats, trailers, gear, and in bait buckets.

When invasive species enter a water body, they can have a devastating impact. Since the local ecosystems has not developed natural controls (animals or other plants to limit their growth) invasive species may spread rapidly.

Why are they harmful?

Many invasive plants form dense mats of vegetation that can restrict boating, fishing, and swimming, and make the waterways entirely impassable.

Many native plants and animals cannot compete for space or food with exotic species, and are crowded out or eliminated from the area.

The aesthetic appeal, recreational value, and surrounding property values may quickly decline as the invasives species take over.

The microscopic larval stage of Zebra Mussel and Asian Clam can easily travel undetected in bilge bait and livewell water. They can proliferate at an alarming rate and frequently destroy boat motors, buoys, and fishing gear. Their razor sharp shells often create a hazard for beach visitors.

Once invasive plants and animals are established, they are almost impossible to eradicate.

How can you help? Know that your activities make a difference!

Your activities matter: at home, at the campground, at the lake, on the water, or living in the watershed:

Before you visit:

Clean your boats before bringing to the lake. Remove all plants and animals from your boat motor, trailer, anchors, fishing gear, and dive gear and dispose of them on dry land, well away from the water or in a trash can.

Flush engines and dispose of live-well, bait bucket, and cooling water away from the shore after each use.

Never release any plant or animal into a body of water unless it came out of that body of water.

Never empty aquariums into a water-body.

Inspect and wash your boat, preferably with hot water, and allow it to completely dry before entering another body of water.

Be a weed watcher while you’re at the lake and/or join the MPF’s survey teams.

Information courtesy of Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Lakes and Ponds Program

At the lake, home or campsite, on the water, and in the watershed:

Clean your boats before bringing to the lake.

Avoid weedy coves! Your propeller captures and brings back plant fragments to your dock where they drop and root.

Remove floating weed fragments from lake or that wash up on the beach/shore - dry and burn or compost or bag and dispose.

Fertilize your lawn not the lake or impervious surfaces! Runoff from your landscape will fertilize lake plants causing them to grow. Leave a buffer unfertilized between the lawn and the lake, don't fertilize before a rain storm, use half the recommended amount, and only no phosphorus formulations (middle number should be zero)

Learn More & Get Involved:

D.A.S.H Team/Boat for Manchaug Pond (in the planning stages so help get it on the water!)

Water Sampling & Testing

On-Lake (once/month May-October)

Watershed (second Saturday morning of the month April-November)

Laboratory with Blackstone River Watershed Association (BRWA)

Stream Team (in the planning stages)

Guide to Non-native Aquatic Invasive Species in Massachusetts

NY DEC’s Algae Identification Website

Management under the Wetlands Protection Act

Eutrophication and Aquatic Plant Management

Mass NPS Pollution Management Manual: Chapt. 7 Lake Management

DCR Guide to Lake Management

Research on Winter Drawdown for Aquatic Invasive Control

WI Conference 2016 Presentation on Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting

Evaluation of Non-Native Plants

Nature Conservency’s Handbook on Weed Control Methods

Watch for Winter Lake-level Drawdown

Since 1990, lake-level drawdown has been employed to control aquatic plants and keep them in check in Manchaug Pond. The Manchaug Pond Foundation advocates for this no-cost, effective method of weed control with the lake's dam owner. With a shallow shoreline of less than five feet, drawdown offers a good knock down of invasives at beaches and docks.

Control is dependent on depth of drawdown and winter weather which contributes to the freezing and drying of shoreline soils. Snow cover and lack of freezing temperatures can impede to the process. Visit our Waterlevel & Dam page for details.

DON'T LET THIS BE YOU!

EEK! don't bring harmful bacteria to the lake. Walk pets away from the lake and shore. Dispose of properly!

Don't fertilize near the lake, on impervious surfaces like driveways, and not before a rain event.

Car washing near water resources does negatively impact the lake! Do it on the lawn or at a professional car wash.